Highlights of Kerala and Maldives

Kochi, formerly Cochin, is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea and a centre of the Indian spice trade. One of the first European settlements in colonial India, the Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence still remains on the city’s architecture and culture. It has also emerged as a cosmopolitan commercial hub with a multicultural atmosphere.

Dances of Kerala: A Cultural Evening

Spend an insightful evening at Greenix Village, where you will get to experience Kerala’s rich arts and culture. Here, you can enjoy watching and learning about the complex artistic skills of Indian classical dances such as Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, and Bharatnatyam in a two-hour performance by trained dancers.

The most well-known and celebrated of these—Kathakali, blends drama, music, dance, literature, and painting. You will get to observe the colourful make-up, ornate costumes, and intricate gestures and expressions that are an integral part of this dance form.

Highlights of Cochin (Half Day)

Cochin is brimming with assorted architectural delights that range from Chinese fishing nets and Portuguese architecture to ancient mosques, and crumbling remnants dating back to the British era. Historic sites await you in Mattancherry, where you can browse through beautiful murals and antiques at the Dutch Palace and Cemetery.

The spices and antiques market is a sensory delight. Next, head for the 400-year-old Paradesi Synagogue in the Jewish quarter, which is still functioning! You will also get to visit Vasco da Gama’s original grave at St. Francis Church. Your tour ends in the artistic suburb of Tripunithura, where you can explore Hill Palace, Kerala’s largest archaeological museum.

You will be driven from Cochin to Munnar in a private vehicle. The travel time is about 4.5 hours.

Perched about 5,200 feet above the sea level at the confluence of the Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundaly mountain streams, Munnar is a haven of serenity within the lush hills of Kerala. Once a favoured summer spot for British colonialists, the towering Western Ghats have since gained recognition for their scenic sights. Far from the hustle and bustle, Munnar’s rolling valleys, blooming tea plantations, and mist-covered landscapes are nothing short of an enchanting experience.

Personalised City Highlights Tour of Munnar

Explore the natural beauty of the popular hill station of Munnar accompanied by an expert local guide. Enjoy the view as you traverse the hilly roads through the region’s famous tea and spice estates. Your tour begins at Mattupetty Dam, whose lake area is a great picnic spot. The next stop is Echo Point, a famous scenic spot with a self-explanatory name! While here, admire the panoramic views of the dense forests and misty valleys of the Western Ghats.

At Kundala Dam, you can enjoy a relaxing boat ride in Lake Kundala before heading to Top Station, Munnar’s highest point at 1,700m. The aerial ropeway service at this historic upper terminus was used to transport tea. Stroll along the paved road before you return to town and take in the wonderful view. Watch out for the rare Neelakurunji flowers that bloom in this region every twelve years!

Tea Delights of Lockhart

Visit the Lockhart Tea Museum, a charming national park and hill station tucked away in Devikulam on the outskirts of Munnar in southern India. The vast tea estates and wooded hillsides come into view as you travel along winding country roads. You will eventually reach the expansive Lockhart Estate, which was established in the late 1800s and is one of the High Range’s oldest tea plantations.

Join an in-house expert to get an inside look at a tea factory and watch the workers at every stage of the production process. Learn about how tea is produced, from the process of picking tea leaves to when it finally reaches your teacup. You will also get to know the many health benefits and uses of tea.

At the tea museum, delve deeper into the history of Munnar's tea. Browse the museum's collection of vintage tea production equipment and old photos that chronicle the town’s evolution. You will also get to visit the adjacent garden and nursery. Enjoy a tea tasting session while admiring the magnificent scenery before your tour comes to an end.

You will be driven from Munnar to Thekkady in a private vehicle. The travel time is about 4.5 hours.

Thekkady, a world of seemingly endless rolling hills adorned with aromatic coffee, tea, and spice plantations, is a paradise for nature lovers. Enjoy the crisp, clean air in these quaint little hill towns. The soothing sounds of nature from the tropical forests bring peace and tranquillity, as do the forested hills reflected into the waters of Periyar Lake, where herds of elephants gather to drink.

Experiential Thekkady at Spice Village

Enjoy a range of activities at Spice Village that will give you a glimpse of the region's life and culture. You can learn how to craft handmade paper or do an evening cookery class. If it’s the right season, you can also venture on a day trip to a nearby pepper plantation.

Savour your lush surroundings as you stroll through the trellised rows of winding vines. Pause to take in the sight of peppercorns drying on mats and breathe in the fresh mountain air infused with a distinct peppery fragrance.

The chefs at Spice Village will guide you through an interactive cooking session. Explore the fascinating world of Indian spices, learning about the different varieties, how they are used, and the unique flavours they impart to even the simplest meals. After your cooking class, try your hand at crafting paper using pulp made from the resort’s waste paper at the paper-making centre.

Tea Plantation Hiking Tour

Embark on a relaxed hike through a tea estate. A private vehicle will take you from your hotel to a local plantation. Stroll at a leisurely pace along the undulating terrain accompanied by an expert naturalist. Learn more about how tea is cultivated, the proper method for plucking the leaves, and what contributes to making fine tea.

You will also meet tea pluckers, mostly women, carefully picking the leaves from the plants. As you walk by, breathe in the fresh air and take in the wonderful views of your surroundings. Return to your hotel after having explored the area to your heart's content.

You will be driven from Thekkady to Backwaters, Alleppey/Kumarakom in a private vehicle. The travel time is about 4 hours.

Kerala’s famed backwaters are a diverse maze of lagoons, lakes, and river systems along the Malabar coast, surrounded by charming towns and villages. The region is rich in a variety of flora and fauna, with Vembanad lake and Ashtamudi lake at its core.

Kerala's cuisine, particularly its seafood and meat dishes, and its well-known palm wine enhance the experience of floating on the tranquil backwaters on traditional kettuvallam, or houseboats. Visit the region during the annual boat races where teams of up to 100 rowers paddle in perfect synchrony on 100-foot long snake boats.

Overnight Houseboat Experience

Spend the night on a traditional kettuvallam, a boat made of wooden planks and coconut rope, as you sail through Kerala’s backwaters. Enjoy fabulous views of rural Kerala from your boat, which comes with all the modern amenities for a comfortable experience - furnished bedrooms, a modern bathroom and shower, a living area, and a covered balcony where you can relax.

There’s also a kitchen onboard where the crew prepares freshly cooked meals and snacks, which are served on banana leaves. The captain might make a stop so you can visit a backwater village to meet the locals, see quaint ancestral homes, and visit places of worship. After a relaxing day exploring the area, the boat will drop anchor for the night. Savour the sensation of being lulled to sleep by the gentle sound of the lake waters before getting back on land the next day.

Today, you will be driven in a private vehicle from your houseboat to your hotel in Alleppey/Kumarakom. Relax in your serene surroundings and explore the assorted charms of your beautiful resort.

You will be driven from Backwaters, Alleppey/Kumarakom to Cochin in a private vehicle. The travel time is about 1.5 hours.

You will be driven in a private vehicle from your hotel to Cochin airport. Board your flight from Cochin to Male. The flight time is about 1.5 hours.

A gateway to the stunning islands of Maldives, the capital city of Malé features on many a travel wishlist. It is among the smallest capitals in the world, this lively city is lined with quaint avenues, soaring skyscrapers, and immaculate streets. Malé is a flurry of activity, in stark contrast to the relaxed vibe of the surrounding islands.

At Male airport, you will be met by a representative and escorted to your shared speed boat or seaplane that will take you to your luxury resort. Please note that all transfers are dependent on weather conditions.